5 Alternatives to Square POS in Australia for 2025

As the business landscape evolves, having a reliable and efficient Point of Sale (POS) system is crucial for managing sales, inventory, and customer relationships. While Square POS is popular for its ease of use and affordability, several other robust options are available in Australia for 2025. This article will explore five notable alternatives to Square POS, each offering unique features tailored to different business needs.
What is Square POS?
Square POS is a widely-used point-of-sale system known for its versatility and simplicity. It offers a range of features, including payment processing, inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and real-time sales reporting. Square POS is particularly favoured by small to medium-sized businesses due to its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface. However, as businesses grow and their needs become more complex, exploring alternative POS systems that might offer more specialised features or better scalability is beneficial.
Square Pricing
POS |
Free or $36 (2.2% per transaction),or $99 (1.9% per transaction) / monthly |
5 Alternatives to Square POS in Australia
1. POSApt
Pricing
Hospitality POS | Retail POS |
Free (1.5% per transaction) or $66 / m | $99 / monthly |
POSApt is a comprehensive POS solution designed to cater to the specific needs of various businesses, including retail, hospitality, and service industries. POSApt can be a great Square POS alternatives if you are looking for a simple and cost effective POS solutions in Australia. Here are some of the standout features of POSApt:
1. Affordable Pricing:
POSApt offers free POS and affordable pricing plans, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to optimise their operations without breaking the bank.
2. User-Friendly Interface:
POSApt offers an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple for staff to navigate and operate. This ensures quick training and efficient day-to-day operations, enhancing overall business productivity.
3. Integrated Online Ordering:
POSApt seamlessly integrates with your own restaurant online ordering system, making it easy to keep accurate records of sales and inventory. This integration streamlines operations and reduces error, and ensures customer satisfaction.
4. Advanced Inventory Management:
POSApt provides robust inventory management tools, including real-time tracking and automated reordering. These features help businesses maintain optimal stock levels and reduce the likelihood of running out of popular items.
5. Customer Loyalty Programs:
Businesses can easily set up and manage loyalty programs to enhance customer retention. Rewarding repeat customers with discounts or special offers can significantly boost sales and customer satisfaction.
6. 24/7 Support:
POSApt offers round-the-clock support to address any issues promptly. This ensures that businesses can rely on immediate assistance whenever they encounter problems, minimising downtime and disruptions.
2. LightSpeed
Pricing
Hospitality POS | Retail POS |
$40, $120, $220, $340 / monthly | $129, $229, $329 / monthly |
LightSpeed is another strong contender in the POS market, offering a cloud-based solution that is ideal for retail and restaurant businesses. Key features of LightSpeed include:
1. Omnichannel Capabilities:
LightSpeed supports both online and in-store sales, providing a seamless shopping experience for customers. This feature is particularly useful for businesses looking to expand their reach and offer a unified customer experience across multiple channels.
2. Detailed Reporting and Analytics:
The system offers in-depth reporting tools to help business owners make data-driven decisions. These reports can provide insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory performance, enabling more effective strategic planning.
3. Inventory Management:
LightSpeed excels in inventory management with features like multi-location tracking and bulk item imports. This makes it easy for businesses with multiple outlets to manage their stock efficiently and ensure consistency across locations.
4. Customer Management:
The CRM functionality helps businesses build and maintain strong customer relationships through personalised service. By tracking customer preferences and purchase history, businesses can tailor their marketing efforts and improve customer satisfaction.
5. Hardware Compatibility:
LightSpeed is compatible with a wide range of hardware, making it easy to integrate into existing setups. This flexibility allows businesses to upgrade their POS system without the need for extensive hardware changes.
3. OrderMate
Pricing
POS |
Need to contact, Higher upfront and monthly costs |
OrderMate is specifically designed for the hospitality industry, making it an excellent choice for restaurants, cafes, and bars. Its features include:
1. Table Management:
OrderMate offers advanced table management tools, including table layouts and reservations. These features help optimise seating arrangements and enhance the dining experience for customers.
2. Order Customisation:
The system allows for easy order customization, which is essential for food and beverage businesses. Customers can make special requests or modifications to their orders, and the kitchen staff can view these changes in real-time.
3. Kitchen Display System:
OrderMate includes a kitchen display system to streamline communication between the front and back of the house. This reduces errors and ensures that orders are prepared accurately and efficiently.
4. Loyalty Programs:
The built-in loyalty program feature helps businesses reward and retain their best customers. By offering incentives such as discounts or free items, businesses can encourage repeat visits and build a loyal customer base.
5. Comprehensive Reporting:
Detailed reports on sales, inventory, and staff performance help business owners stay on top of their operations. These insights can be used to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to boost profitability.
4. Epos Now
Pricing
POS |
Need to contact, Higher upfront and monthly costs |
Epos Now is a versatile POS system suitable for a wide range of industries, including retail, hospitality, and leisure. Its notable features are:
1. Cloud-Based System:
Epos Now offers a cloud-based platform that ensures data is accessible from anywhere at any time. This feature is particularly beneficial for business owners who need to manage their operations remotely or access real-time information on the go.
2. User-Friendly Interface:
The intuitive interface makes it easy for staff to learn and use the system efficiently. This shortens the learning curve and helps employees swiftly get up to speed with the new system.
3. Extensive App Integrations:
Epos Now integrates with numerous third-party apps, expanding its functionality to suit various business needs. Whether it's accounting software, e-commerce platforms, or marketing tools, businesses can create a tailored POS solution that meets their specific requirements.
4. Inventory Management:
The system provides robust inventory management tools, including real-time stock updates and low-stock alerts. These features help businesses maintain optimal stock levels and reduce the risk of overstocking or stockouts.
5. Impos
Pricing
POS |
Need to contact, Higher upfront and monthly costs |
Impos is another excellent POS solution for the hospitality industry, known for its reliability and advanced features. Key aspects of Impos include:
1. Speed and Efficiency:
Impos is designed to handle high-volume transactions quickly and efficiently. This makes it an ideal choice for busy restaurants, bars, and cafes that need to process orders rapidly during peak times.
2. Customisable Interface:
The system allows businesses to customise the interface to match their specific requirements. This flexibility ensures that the POS system can adapt to the unique workflow of each business, improving overall efficiency.
3. Advanced Reporting:
Impos offers detailed reports on various aspects of the business, from sales and inventory to staff performance. These insights can be used to make informed decisions and identify opportunities for growth.
4. Loyalty and Marketing Tools:
Impos includes built-in loyalty and marketing tools to help businesses attract and retain customers. By offering personalised promotions and rewards, businesses can increase customer engagement and drive repeat visits.
Conclusion
While Square POS is a great starting point for many businesses, exploring other options can help you find a system that better suits your specific needs. Whether you need advanced inventory management, specialised hospitality features, or seamless omnichannel capabilities, the alternatives listed above—POSApt, LightSpeed, OrderMate, Epos Now, and Impos—offer robust solutions to enhance your business operations in 2025. By choosing the right POS system, you can streamline your processes, improve customer satisfaction, and drive growth in your business.
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